Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker had effective games as the
Celtics stopped a four-game losing streak with a 97-91 victory
over the Orlando Magic.

Following Wednesday's last-second home loss to Toronto, Pitino
lashed out at the media and fans for having unrealistic
expectations of his young club. In Friday's defeat at Toronto,
Pitino was ejected in the late in the third quarter.

"My comments the other night were directed at only about 100
people," Pitino said. "It's time to put that behind us. I know
I'm not worried about it."

Pierce finished with 19 points and seven assists and Walker had
18 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who stopped a
four-game home losing streak and avenged a 111-89 defeat at
Orlando on January 26.

"We got off to a bit of a slow start but the coach just kept
telling us to keep shooting and we did," Walker said. "But we
really brought it today defensively and coming up with some big
steals. That was the biggest thing of all."

Boston built a 13-point lead after three quarters but the Magic
scored seven straight points to begin the final period, capped
by a 20-footer from Michael Doleac to close to 72-66 with 10:40
to play.

However, the Celtics answered. Pierce sank a jumper and made
1-of-2 free throws around a 3-pointer from Kenny Anderson that
provided Boston a 78-66 advantage with 8:31 remaining.

Boston was never seriously threatened thereafter and won despite
shooting just 39 percent (36-of-92). Orlando did itself in by
committing 26 turnovers.

The Celtics got off to a horrendous start and were behind, 9-2,
with 5:29 left in the first quarter. The Celtics shot 25
percent (6-of-24) in the period but closed to within 19-18 by
the end of the period.

"That first six minutes might have been the worst basketball
I've ever seen," Orlando coach Doc Rivers said. "The fact that
they struggled as much as they did and won the game is a credit
to them. But it was bad on both sides."

Ron Mercer, a former Celtic, scored just three points in 11
minutes and left with 4:11 remaining before halftime with a
severely sprained left ankle. He suffered the injury after
landing awkwardly while going up for a layup.

Walker had 11 points and Piercer 10 in the first half as the
Celtics came back to take a 45-40 lead at the break.

Rookie Corey Maggette added 14 points for the Magic, who shot 46
percent (38-of-82) and held a 48-46 rebounding advantage.